COLUMBUS, Ohio – A total of seven members of Ohio State’s 2014 national championship team were either picked by NFL teams during the league’s three-day draft in Chicago or signed free agent deals with teams immediately afterward.
That extends Ohio State’s run of having at least one player selected in the NFL draft to 17 consecutive years.
Devin Smith, the talented wide receiver who scored 30 receiving touchdowns and averaged over 20 yards per catch for his career, was chosen in the second round by the New York Jets. He was the 37th overall selection.
With 30 starts, Smith ranks 11th at Ohio State in receptions, fifth in receiving yards and – with 30 touchdown catches – is second only to Cris Carter.
Tight end Jeff Heuerman was selected in the third round by the Denver Broncos, the 92nd overall pick.
Plagued by injuries during his senior season, Heuerman still started 14 games and caught 17 passes for 207 yards with two touchdowns. He had 52 receptions for 792 yards and seven touchdowns for his career.
All-Big Ten selection and team captain Doran Grant was chosen by the Steelers in the fourth round with the 121st overall pick.
The acknowledged leader in the Buckeye secondary, Grant was second on the team with five interceptions in 2014, including two in the Big Ten championship game win over Wisconsin.
All-American defensive tackle Michael Bennett was selected in the sixth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 180th overall pick.
Bennett recorded 41 tackles, including 14.5 tackles-for-loss. He set a Big Ten championship game record with four TFLs and two forced fumbles.
Receiver Evan Spencer was selected in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins, the 187th player taken.
A team captain, Spencer was a three-year starter who earned MVP honors from Coach Urban Meyer for exploits such as: Blocking two Alabama players to help spring Ezekiel Elliott on his record 85-yard touchdown run in the Sugar Bowl, throwing a perfect TD pass to Michael Thomas against the Crimson Tide, and pulling down the onside kick to help secure the victory.
Two other Buckeyes signed with NFL teams as free agents after the draft.
Senior captain Curtis Grant is heading west after confirm today he has agreed to a deal with the San Diego Chargers.
Darryl Baldwin, a 6’6” 307-pound offensive lineman will suit up in mini-camp as a Baltimore Raven.